Drinking container lid apparatus with manually actuated valve

ABSTRACT

A lid for controlled drinking from a drinking container having a mouth includes a central portion defining an edge. The lid includes a linear actuator having an outer portion extending beyond the edge and a inner portion extending within the edge. The lid further includes a gate valve having a pivot positioned proximate a center of the central portion, about which the gate valve can pivot between a closed position wherein the gate valve essentially occludes an opening defined in the central portion, and an open position wherein the gate valve does not essentially occlude the opening. The gate valve is engaged with the linear actuator and responsive to motion thereof to move the gate valve between the closed and open positions. A biasing mechanism biases the gate valve towards the closed position.

BACKGROUND

Many different types of drinking vessels have been developed over thecourse of human history. Such include cups, bowls, bottles, cans,glasses, mugs as well as other types of drinking vessels. In all cases,there is a chamber suited for containment of a liquid, or beverage, andan opening through which the person using the drinking vessels is ableto extract a portion of the beverage. Extraction is commonlyaccomplished by changing the vessel's orientation or changing thepressure around the fluid.

However, the opening or mouth can also allow the beverage in thedrinking vessel to spill. This can happen for any of many reasons. Whena beverage does spill, what is spilt is usually lost, and may also causedamage to the items it comes in contact with. Some beverages can stainvarious items, cause resident inks or dyes to run due to a solvent-likeaction thus rendering the item damaged. Examples are car upholster, carseat covers, home furniture, carpeting and many other things that cansuffer damage or even deterioration due to the spillage and type ofliquid that has been spilt.

In instances where the beverage is heated, there are additional risksassociated with spilling thereof. When this type of drink is spilled, ithas the potential to burn people or animals which have contact with thespilt liquid.

Other problems arise when a drinking container is invaded by insectssuch as bees, wasps, or other pests which are small enough to enterthrough the container discharge. Many people have received stings andbites from drink invaders when enjoying a beverage outdoors. The invaderis attracted to the beverage and are often able to enter the containerwithout the user knowing. Stings and bites are likely to cause pain tothe user and can also present serious harm to people who have allergicreactions to such. The shock from such an attack can also cause chokingand instills fear in using such drink containers outdoors, especially inthe case of people who already fear such invaders.

Also, it is a well known problem, and has been for many years, that openbeverages in motor vehicles commonly spill. Cars are now typicallyfitted with drink holders and the increasing popularity of drive-thrufast food increases the use of drinking containers in cars. Even priorto the inclusion of the cup holders as a standard feature in mostvehicles, many people had aftermarket holders of various types andapproaches to hold the containers at a convenient location and in amanner that was hoped to prevent spillage. Unfortunately many of thesedevices and the containers used with them don't prevent spillage,especially when the vehicle undergoes acceleration in various directionsor deceleration.

When a spill occurs in a vehicle which is in motion, this typicallydistracts the vehicle operator. This is especially exemplified in thecase of hot beverages burning the vehicle operator, but any spilling mayequally affect concerned vehicle owners just the same. Such distractionsmay result in a collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian, eitherof which often result in the death of, or serious injury to, peopleinvolved.

Children and individuals with impaired motor skills, may more often losetheir grip on drinking vessels, and, even if the vessel is not dropped,the contents may be spilt. People who are multitasking while drinking,such as car operators often do, are also more likely to accidentallydrop a drinking vessel. Also, such people do not benefit from overlycomplex and difficult to operate lid devices.

Although many attempts have been made to provide an easy to use,effective container and container top that prevents spillage, most orall suffer from continuing problems which proves this problem is noteasily solved and thus advancements are sought after.

Some or all of the problems explained above and other problems may behelped or solved by the inventions shown and described herein. Suchinventions may also be used to address other problems not set out aboveor which are only understood or appreciated at a later time. The futuremay also bring to light currently unknown or unrecognized benefits whichmay be appreciated or more fully appreciated in the future associatedwith the novel inventions shown and described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms, configurations, embodiments and/or diagrams relating toand helping to describe preferred aspects and versions of the inventionsare explained and characterized herein, often with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The drawings and all features shown therein alsoserve as part of the disclosure of the inventions of the currentdocument, whether described in text or merely by graphical disclosurealone. Such drawings are briefly described below.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of theapparatus according to the inventions hereof;

FIG. 2 depicts a left side view thereof; the right side being a mirrorview thereof without the disengagement feature;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the apparatus engaged with a commondrinking container;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the apparatus engaged with another type ofcommon drinking container;

FIG. 5 depicts a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 6 depicts a close-up view thereof of the portion indicated bycircle line 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom view thereof in an open position;

FIG. 8 depicts a close-up bottom view thereof of the portion indicatedby circle line 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 depicts a bottom view of a second preferred embodiment of theapparatus according to the inventions hereof;

FIG. 10 depicts a close-up bottom view thereof of the portion indicatedby circle line 10 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION

A table of subsections for the detailed description is set out below.

Table of Subsections Introductory Notes General Overview of Apparatus  FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 First Embodiment   FIGS. 5 and 6   FIGS. 7 and 8Second Embodiment   FIGS. 9 and 10 Methods Manner of Use and Utility ofthe Inventions Preferred Manners of Making Interpretation Notes

Introductory Notes

The readers of this document should understand that the embodimentsdescribed herein may rely on terminology used in any section of thisdocument and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and thelanguage common therefor as may be known in a particular art and such asknown or indicated and provided by dictionaries. Dictionaries were usedin the preparation of this document. Widely known and used in thepreparation hereof are Webster's Third New International Dictionary (©1993), The Oxford English Dictionary (Second Edition, ©1989), and TheNew Century Dictionary (©2001-2005), all of which are herebyincorporated by reference for interpretation of terms used herein andfor application and use of words defined in such references to moreadequately or aptly describe various features, aspects and conceptsshown or otherwise described herein using more appropriate words havingmeanings applicable to such features, aspects and concepts.

This document is premised upon using one or more terms with oneembodiment that may also apply to other embodiments for similarstructures, functions, features and aspects of the inventions. Wordingused in the claims is also descriptive of the inventions, and the textof both claims and abstract are incorporated by reference into thedescription entirely in the form as originally filed. Terminology usedwith one, some or all embodiments may be used for describing anddefining the technology and exclusive rights associated herewith.

The readers of this document should further understand that theembodiments described herein may rely on terminology and features usedin any section or embodiment shown in this document and other termsreadily apparent from the drawings and language common or propertherefor. This document is premised upon using one or more terms orfeatures shown in one embodiment that may also apply to or be combinedwith other embodiments for similar structures, functions, features andaspects of the inventions and provide additional embodiments of theinventions.

Each embodiment has been assigned unique 100 series reference numerals.Embodiments that share like features will use the same 10 seriesidentifier with their unique 100 series embodiment identifier. Forexample, a feature may be identified as 112 for a first embodiment and212 for a second embodiment. Such allows for easy recognition of likefeatures and prevents redundancy in the description since like featureswill not be re-described for each embodiment unless otherwise needed.

General Overview of Apparatus

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4

To facilitate an understanding of the inventions, a general overview ofan apparatus 101 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinventions is first provided. Reference is given to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4.Much of what will be described in this section applies equally as wellto the second embodiment, apparatus 201, as it does to the firstembodiment, apparatus 101, unless otherwise mentioned.

Looking at FIG. 1, a perspective view of an apparatus 101 is depicted.The apparatus 101 may at as a lid for controlled drinking from acontainer, in accordance with the teachings of the present inventions.Apparatus 101 may have a wall or central portion. In FIG. 1, such isshown as wall 110 with surface 111 visible. A collar, or edge, may alsobe present. Such is shown as collar 114, which extends about theperiphery of the wall 110.

At least one linear actuator may be present. Such is shown as linearactuator 120, which acts to provide control over the egress of acontainer's contents. The apparatus may contain at least one gate valve.Such is shown as gate valve 140, which acts to occlude an opening 149 inthe wall 110. At least one outer, or first, portion, or button, may alsobe present. Such is shown as outer portion 122, which may extend beyondthe apparatus's periphery through a passage in the collar 114. Outerportion 122 is an exterior portion of linear actuator 120. As is shown,outer portion 122 may include a bent segment 121. Such extends generallyperpendicular to the linear actuator 120, advantageously providing asurface for the application of pressure thereto, during operationthereof. When the apparatus is engaged with a drink container, a usermay apply force to outer portion 122 via bent segment 121 with a digitof their hand, or by some other convenient means. Such would cause thelinear actuator to slidably rotate the gate valve 140 with respect toopening 149, thus allowing passage of the beverage, or other contentspresent in the container, through opening 149.

At least one removal feature may be present. Such is shown as removalfeature 160. The removal feature provides a gripping surface which mayaid disengagement when prying the apparatus from a drinking container.

At least one straw feature may be present. This optional feature isshown as straw feature 147 in wall 110. Such advantageously facilitatesinsertion of a straw, or similar device, through wall 110, where it canthen access the drinking container's contents. Straw feature 147comprises weakened portions of wall 110, which can be separated and thusprovide an opening through wall 110 for passage of a straw therethrough.

Looking at FIG. 2, a left side view of apparatus 101 is depicted. Suchillustrates the benefit of bent segment 121. Bent segment 121 providesan area for application of pressure thereto to facilitate operation oflinear actuator 120. Although bent segment 121 is directed upward, itmay also be advantageous to have such directed downward, both upward anddownward, or in some other fashion.

Linear actuator 120 extends through, and slidably moves within, apassage in collar 114. Such has a similar cross sectional shape to thatof linear actuator 120 and is sufficiently small so that it may preventescape of container contents therethrough. Additional means may also beused to prevent egress of contents therethrough.

Looking at FIG. 3, a left side view is shown of apparatus 101 engaged,or coupled, with a common drinking vessel 50, taking a shape similar tomost soda cans. Such illustrates the potential use of the apparatus withthis type of common container. The apparatus 101 may engage a drinkingvessel, such as illustrated with vessel 50, by application of forcealong direction arrow 165 to the apparatus, more likely to wall surface111 and possibly collar 114. The apparatus engages with a container viaat least one engagement feature. Such is shown with the currentembodiment as at least one rib or thread 116, illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7and 8, binding on an uneven surface, rib or thread on the drinkingcontainer. An upper rib is common to many drinking vessels. However,additional methods of engagement may also be used, when a rib is notpresent. More will be described later on engagement of the device to acontainer.

In the situation of FIG. 3, where a can is used, such and other similarcontainers usually have limited openings or mouths in the top surface ofthe container which allow egress of the contained drink. When using acontainer with a limited opening, the user may benefit from positioningthe container's opening with respect to the opening 149. Such may beaccomplished by aligning the two openings such that the container'sopening is directly underneath or face to face with opening 149.

Looking at FIG. 4, a left side view is shown of apparatus 101 engaged,or coupled, with another common drinking vessel 52, such vessel orcontainer taking a shape similar to many cups and glasses. Suchillustrates the potential use of the apparatus with another type ofcommon container. The apparatus may disengage a drinking vessel, such asillustrated with vessel 52, by application of force along directionarrow 166 to the apparatus, more likely to removal feature 160. Variousother containers may be used as well, even though use therewith is notexplicitly shown or described herein. Such containers include containerswith substantially planer tops that do not have protrusions that wouldcontact the wall 110 and the moving components attached thereto. Contactwith such parts may prevent apparatus 101 from engaging with thecontainer and/or hinder operation thereof.

It may be advantageous to relocate the components attached to surface112 (FIGS. 5-8) to surface 111 of wall 110. Such would benefit use withcontainers that have protrusions which may contact the apparatus'smoving parts and prevent motion thereof. At least one guard plate mayalso be present to cover the moving parts and prevent introduction ofobjects into the space necessary for movement of these parts.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 5 and 6

Looking at FIGS. 5 and 6, a bottom view of apparatus 101, in a closedstate, is shown. A closed state is defined as when the gate valve 140essentially fully occludes opening 149 and thus may be capable ofpreventing unwanted spillage from the container.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the internal workings of apparatus 101. Suchshows linear actuator 120 and it's inner, or second, portion 124. Innerportion 124 extends within the collar 114 periphery, continuing from theouter portion 122. At least one narrowed portion may be present onlinear actuator 120. Such is shown as distal narrowed portion 123 inFIG. 6. Such is attached to, or engaged with, the gate valve 140. Thegate valve may have a tang portion. Such is shown as tang portion 142,which provides attachment or engagement of narrowed portion 123 thereto;with such attachment or engagement allowing for sufficient rotation ofthe gate valve 140 from a closed to an open position.

The entirety of the linear actuator 120 is shown as being formed fromone unitary body. However, it may also be advantageous to form such fromseveral bodies which would be sufficiently attached to one another. Suchmay also allow for use of differing materials for each part if such isfound to be desirable.

At least one clip may be present. In FIG. 5, clips 117 are shown. Suchextend from wall 110, out surface 112, along the sides of inner portion124 of linear actuator 120, then pass across the inner portion's outersurface. The clips 117 act to limit the translational movement of linearactuator 120 to directions along arrow 161. It may prove advantageous tohave at least one clip that spans part, or the entire width, of linearactuator 120. Looking back to FIG. 1, recessions 119 can be seen inopposite surface 111. Such are where the clips 117 are formed out ofwall 110. Clips 117 may be formed by molding them into wall 110, as isshown, or through other configurations and methods to produce clips 117.

The apparatus may comprise at least one biasing mechanism. As shown inFIG. 5, biasing mechanisms, or springs, 125 are attached on both sidesof the inner portion 124. Such act to bias the linear actuator 120, andthus gate valve 140, toward a closed position, as demonstrated in FIGS.1, 2, 5 and 6, thus maintaining a default, closed position duringnon-use of the linear actuator. In the closed position, gate valve 140occludes opening 149, therefore helping prevent the unwanted escape ofthe beverage container's contents when the linear actuator 120 is notbeing depressed. The springs 125 may be formed out of a unitary bodywith the linear actuator 120, as shown, or they may also be a separatepiece, possibly of a differing material, attached thereto. In the caseof more than one spring, it may prove beneficial to have at least onespring in a differing shape or configuration from the rest. Suchadditional spring configurations may include a curved spring, a hair pinspring, or other spring. The at least one biasing mechanism cantherefore be a spring disposed between the linear actuator 120 and thecentral portion 110, and biased to urge the outer portion 122 away fromthe edge 114 of the central portion. For example, the biasing mechanismcan be a coil spring attached at a first end to the edge or collar 114,and attached at a second end to the linear actuator 120 at a locationdistal from the collar 114. In another example, the biasing mechanismcan be a leaf-spring arrangement similar to springs 125 depicted in FIG.5, but with the fixed ends of the springs being secured to the surface112, and the free ends in contact with protrusions or the like on thelinear actuator 120. In yet another variation the biasing member can bea coil spring or folding spring attached at a first end to the tang 142at a location proximate the free end of the tang, and at a second end atlocation on the surface 112 distal from the tang.

The apparatus 101 may comprise at least one pivot. A pivot, or pivotpin, 143, which is shown attached to the wall 110, secures gate valve140 thereto. Such prevents translation of gate valve 140 while allowingrotation thereof. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, gate valve 140 includestang portion 142, which extends diagonally outward away from the mainbody of the gate valve 140, into the path of the narrowed portion 123.The tang portion may have a hole, channel or similar, 146, providingpassage of the narrowed portion 123 therethrough. Such allows engagementof the two with free rotation and limited translational movement. Thesegment of the narrowed portion 123, which passes through channel 146,is adequately shaped to allow the necessary movement therein duringopening and closing movements. Such may be rounded or possibly circularin shape, as indicated by exemplary pin 145 which is received in channel146, or another shape which effectively mates with the channel 146. Thenarrowed portion 123 passes to one side of the pivot 143 where itengages the gate valve 140. During sliding motion of the linear actuator120, such creates a rotational moment about the pivot, which causes thegate valve 140 to slidably rotate there around.

In FIG. 5, the opening rotational path is indicated by arcuate directionarrow 162. This occurs responsive to pressure being applied to the outerportion 122 of the linear actuator 120, causing motion thereof, alongdirection arrow 161. As a result, the spring 125 is driven into orfurther into compression and thus creates forces for restoring thelinear actuator 120 and gate valve 140 to the closed position, when thedrinker no longer applies the pressure to outer portion 122.

It will be appreciated from the discussion above that the outer portion122 protrudes outward from the collar 114 periphery when the gate valve140 is in the closed position as depicted in FIG. 5, but extends atleast partially inward of the collar 114 periphery when the gate valve140 is in the open position as depicted in FIG. 7. Thus the term outerportion for part 122 is not intended as limiting the location of theentire part at all times to a location outward from the collar 114periphery.

The apparatus may comprise at least one gate stopper. In FIGS. 5, 7 and8, a gate stopper, or stop, 141 is shown. Such may be present, acting toprevent over-rotation of the gate valve 140. When the gate valve 140 hasreturned to a closed position, it will contact gate stopper 141. Suchcontact prevents further rotation putting the gate valve 140 into aposition which may not fully occlude opening 149, or which may causenarrowed portion 123 and tang 142 to bind.

One form of an engagement feature 116 (FIGS. 5, 7 and 8) previouslydiscussed was the use of at least one rib. Such typically is employedwith at least one corresponding rib (not shown) on the container 50(FIG. 3) or 52 (FIG. 4) to provide positive engagement therebetween.With the use of plastic, and many other materials, to form collar 114,such materials give and bend. When the apparatus is forced down on acontainer, the rib on the container and the rib 116 on the apparatuswill be similar in size and will come in contact. When enough force isapplied, the collar will give and deform slightly to allow passage ofthe apparatus's at least one rib 116 around the container's at least onerib, or vise-versa if the container's material is more flexible than theapparatus's. A similar amount of force, in a direction opposite thatwhich was used to engage the two, is then necessary to reverse theprocess, or rather, disengage the two.

It proves advantageous to have a multitude of different engagementconfigurations for securing a container to the apparatus for use. Suchwould allow the apparatus use with a broader assortment of containers.One such an engagement may be achieved with at least one thread on theupper outer periphery of the container. In such a case, the apparatuswould need at least one thread 116 which effectively engage with thecontainer's periphery threads through a screwing action.

Another option is to have a container with at least one sufficientlylarge lip around the upper periphery. At least one matching lip could beplaced around the outer periphery of collar 114 and a clasping band,with at least one sufficiently large channel, shaped for receiving thepresent lips, could be secured there around, engaging the apparatus tothe container.

Yet another option is to use at least one screw which would pass througha threaded, or non-threaded, hole in the collar 114. Such would bedirected from the outside of the collar inward toward the container. Toengage the container, the screws could be tightened until a sufficientfrictional force is created to prevent disengagement of the apparatus.This engagement option may also prove advantageous with the presence ofan uneven surface on the container. Such may reduce the needed frictionif the at least one screw is tightened such that it cannot pass over, orfrom, the uneven surface. Additional methods and means for securing theapparatus 101 to an upper portion of a container, not shown or describedherein, may also prove advantageous in securing the apparatus to acontainer. In certain embodiments no specific feature is required on thecontainer for engagement of the apparatus therewith. For example, whenrib 216 is replaced by, or supplemented with, a compressible sealingmember, such as a rubber o-ring, then friction between the compressiblesealing member and the container can be sufficient to maintain theapparatus in position on the container. In yet another variation theapparatus 101 can be engaged with a container using clips or the likelocated at the periphery of the upper portion 110, and configured toengage a feature at the upper portion of the container. In this latterexample the apparatus 101 can exclude the collar 114.

FIGS. 7 and 8

Looking at FIGS. 7 and 8, a bottom view of apparatus 101 is depicted,with the gate valve 140 in an open state. An open state can also includeany position of the gate valve 140 between closed (as depicted in FIG.5) and fully open (as essentially depicted in FIG. 7), where only aportion of the opening 149 is occluded by gate valve 140. In any ofthese open states, it is possible for at least a portion of thecontainer's contents to pass through opening 149.

The apparatus may comprise at least one projection. As the linearactuator 120 is pressed inward, springs 125 bend against projections 118creating the biasing forces which will return the linear actuator toit's default position with the gate valve 140 closed, as depicted inFIG. 5. Arcuate direction arrow 164 in FIG. 7 indicates the motion ofthe gate valve 140 in response to the movement of the linear actuator120 along direction arrow 163. Such occurs when the pressure to theouter portion 122 is removed and the springs 125 are allowed to returnto their normal state shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The apparatus may comprise at least one linear actuator stopper. InFIGS. 7 and 8, linear actuator stoppers 129 are shown. Such contact theinside of collar 114 at the closed state (i.e., when the gate valve 140is in the closed position, as depicted in FIG. 5), thus preventingfurther outward movement of the linear actuator 120. This isadvantageous in that it prevents over-rotation of the gate valve 140during the transition from an open to a closed state. Over-rotation ofthe gate valve 140 may position it such that it does not fully occludeopening 149, even though it is intended to be in a closed position. Suchover-rotation may therefore lead to spilling of the container'scontents.

In one variation, the apparatus 101 includes a sealing member disposedbetween the inner surface 112 of wall 110 and the outward-facing surfaceof the gate valve 140. Such can facilitate in further reducing leakageof fluids or contents from the container through the opening 149 whenthe gate valve 140 is in the closed position. The sealing member can bea raised surface area, or an applied sealant, disposed around either theperiphery of opening 149 near surface 112, and/or around the peripheryof the gate valve 140 on a side thereof facing the surface 112. Thesealing member can also be a tongue-and-groove configuration formed ofcomplimentary features disposed around the opening 149 and the gatevalve. In this latter example the tongue and groove can each be taperedat the edges to facilitate separation thereof when a force is applied tothe gate valve 140 by the linear actuator 120 in direction 161 (FIG. 5).

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 9 and 10

Looking at FIGS. 9 and 10, a bottom view of a second embodiment 201,according to the inventions hereof, is shown. Such utilizes a rack andpinion arrangement to rotate gate valve 240.

Narrow portion 223 is shown as having teeth 274 for applying tangentialforce to the gate valve 240 about pivot 243. Such teeth 274 are shapedto effectively match teeth 272 present on the gate valve 240. Teeth 274may take other shapes that are found to be advantageous. Such may alsobe present in quantities of at least one to accommodate various degreesof rotation of the gate valve 240.

Gate valve 240 has teeth 272 along part of it's periphery near pivot243. Such can take various shapes if it is found advantageous. Teeth 272engage with teeth 274 to effect movement of gate valve 140 in direction262. It may be advantageous to place teeth along more or less of theperiphery 276 of the portion of the gate valve 240 proximate the pivot243 than is depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Such would allow for varyingdegrees of rotation for the gate valve 240.

In FIG. 9 three clips 217 are shown guiding linear actuator 220. Oneadditional clip 217 is shown near narrowed portion 223, over theembodiment depicted in FIG. 7 for apparatus 101. At least one clip 217may be present in a configuration that limits the translational movementof linear actuator 220 as desired.

Methods

After choosing a suitable container with means for engagement orcoupling to the apparatus, the container is then filled with the desiredbeverage, fluid or possibly other foodstuff.

To engage the container with the apparatus, a method suitable to thechosen container and apparatus, and their engagement features, is usedto engage the apparatus and the container. Such may be by placing theapparatus onto the container mouth, then applying downward pressure tothe wall 110 and collar 114, along the central axis of the container.Such would be the method if a rib is present on the apparatus and thecontainer has a rib or uneven surface such that it allows similarengagement therewith as engagement means.

Another possible method of engagement would by placing the apparatusonto the container mouth, then screwing the lid onto the container. Suchwould be the method if suitable threads are present on the apparatus andthe container as engagement means.

Another possible method of engagement would be by placing the apparatusonto the container mouth, then adjusting the at least one screw, presentaround the periphery of the collar, until the friction force createdthereby is sufficient to retain the apparatus. Such would be the methodif such screws are present on the apparatus. Additionally, other methodssuitable to other engagement features may be used.

Once the apparatus is engaged with the container, a user may take adrink therefrom. Such would be accomplished by first opening the gatevalve 140. By depressing the outer portion 122 the linear actuator 120and narrowed portion 123 will create a moment about pivot 143, causingthe gate valve 140 to rotate into an open position. Further depressinglinear actuator 120 may expose more of opening 149. Additionally,releasing pressure from the outer portion 122 of linear actuator 120will cause the at least one spring 125 to drive linear actuator 120outward from the collar 114, rotating the gate valve 140 into a positionwhich occludes more of opening 149.

After an open position is chosen, the user can take a drink, as theywould normally from the container, by placing their lips adjacentopening 149 along collar 114, then tipping the container to dispense thefluids therein. Controlling the dispensing rate is accomplished byeither changing the container's angle to gravity, or by changing theposition of gate valve 140 relative to opening 149, thus changing thearea of opening 149 occluded thereby.

After the user is finished drinking, fully releasing the linear actuator120 will cause springs 125 to drive the linear actuator outward from thecollar 114 and thus cause rotation of gate valve 140 into a closedposition, fully occluding opening 149 and helping prevent unwantedspilling therefrom.

Manner of Use and Utility of the Inventions

A container, which can sufficiently engage with the apparatus, is firstselected and filled with the desired contents, most likely fluids. Theapparatus is then engaged to the container through a method describedabove, which may be by pressing or screwing the two together or by othermeans. Once engaged, the user can apply force to the outer portion oflinear actuator 120. Such causes the rotation of gate valve 140 from theclosed position to an open position. The container can then be tipped tobring the fluid, or other, contents to the opening 149. The user canthen drink from the apparatus with their lips adjacent opening 149against collar 114. Further tipping and/or depression of the linearactuator 120 will increase the content's rate of flow from the mouth149. Doing the opposite will impede the rate of flow therefrom. Afterthe user is finished, fully releasing the linear actuator 120 will causethe gate valve 140 to close, helping to prevent unwanted spillage fromopening 149.

The inventions hereof may be useful for controlling the dispensing offluid contents from a drinking container. Such may also be useful withdispensing other foodstuffs as well.

Preferred Manners of Making

Various portions and components of apparatus within the scope of theinventions, including for example, structural components, can be formedby one or more various suitable manufacturing processes known to thosein the art of container lids. Similarly, various portions and componentsof apparatus within the scope of the inventions can be made fromsuitable materials known to those in the art of container lids.

Interpretation Notes

The above description has set out various features, functions, methodsand other aspects of the inventions. This has been done with regard tothe currently preferred embodiments thereof. Time and furtherdevelopment may change the manner in which the various aspects areimplemented. Such aspects may further be added to by the language of theclaims which are incorporated by reference hereinto as originally filed.

The scope of protection accorded the inventions as defined by the claimsis not intended to be necessarily limited to the specific sizes, shapes,features or other aspects of the currently preferred embodiments shownand described. The claimed inventions may be implemented or embodied inother forms while still being within the concepts shown, described andclaimed herein. Also included are equivalents of the inventions whichcan be made without departing from the scope of concepts properlyprotected hereby.

1. An apparatus forming a lid to facilitate controlled drinking from adrinking container having a mouth, comprising: a central portiondefining an edge configured to engage with an upper portion of thedrinking container such that the central portion covers the mouth of thedrinking container when the apparatus is engaged therewith; a linearactuator having a outer portion extending beyond the edge, and a innerportion extending within the edge, the linear actuator being slidablycoupled to the central portion and responsive to a force applied to thelinear actuator to urge outer portion the towards the edge; an openingdefined in the central portion adjacent the edge to facilitate a persontipping the apparatus and drinking container to obtain a drinktherefrom; a gate valve having a pivot positioned proximate a center ofthe central portion, about which the gate valve can pivot between aclosed position wherein the gate valve essentially occludes the opening,and an open position wherein the gate valve does not essentially occludethe opening, the gate valve being in engaged communication with thelinear actuator and responsive to motion thereof to move the gate valvebetween the closed and open positions; at least one biasing mechanismconfigured to bias the gate valve towards the closed position so that adrinker can depress the linear actuator to drink and thereafter releasethe linear actuator and the gate valve is biased into a closed positionto essentially prevent spillage from the drinking container when fittedwith the apparatus.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one biasing mechanism comprises a spring disposed between thelinear actuator and the central portion and biased to urge the outerportion away from the edge of the central portion.
 3. An apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing mechanismcomprises a plastic spring which is part of a unitary body including thelinear actuator, the plastic spring having a proximal portion coupled tothe linear actuator and a distal portion in contact with the centralportion, the plastic spring being driven into compression responsive tomotion of the linear actuator to move the gate valve towards the openposition.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening isadjacent the edge at a location distal from the outer portion of thelinear actuator.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thecentral portion defines a wall, the central portion further including acollar formed at the edge and surrounding the wall, the collar definedby a lower peripheral portion including an inwardly extending lip toaffirmatively engage the mouth.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1wherein the central portion defines a wall, the central portion furtherincluding a collar formed at the edge and surrounding the wall, thecollar defined by a lower peripheral portion including threads foraffirmatively and threadingly engaging the mouth.
 7. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the gate valve is responsive totranslational motion of the linear actuator towards the pivot to therebymove the gate valve between the closed and open positions, the apparatusfurther comprising a clip connected to the central portion andconfigured to limit translational movement of the linear actuatortowards the pivot.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein theinner portion of the linear actuator includes a narrowed portion offsetfrom the pivot, the gate valve includes a tang, and the narrowed portionand the tang are engaged with one another to thereby place the linearactuator and the gate valve in engaged communication with one another.9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the central portionincludes a gate stopper configured to prevent over-rotation of the gatevalve past the opening when the gate valve is in the closed position.10. An apparatus forming a drinking cap for a beverage container, thecap including in combination: a wall having a circular shape anddefining a periphery; an opening extending through the wall near theperiphery to allow a person to drink from the beverage container; atleast one engagement feature for engaging the cap in substantiallysealed relationship with the beverage container such that the cap coversa mouth of the beverage container and may prevent spillage therefrom; anactuator engaged with the wall for linear movement along a substantiallyplanar portion thereof, the actuator having a outer portion extendingpast the periphery and a inner portion extending inward of theperiphery; a gate valve mechanically coupled to the inner portion of theactuator and having a pivot point centrally positioned on the wall, thegate valve pivoting parallel to the wall about the pivot point touncover the opening, responsive to depression of the actuator towardsthe periphery; and a spring biasing the actuator outwardly from theperiphery and the gate valve towards a closed position covering theopening.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the springcomprises a plastic spring having a first end coupled to one of thelinear actuator or the wall.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 10wherein the spring includes a first end coupled to the linear actuatorand therefrom extends to contact one of the wall, or a protrusiontherefrom, to bias the gate valve into the closed position.
 13. Anapparatus according to claim 10, wherein the actuator slidably movesbetween a first position where one edge of the gate valve is biasedagainst a gate stopper secured to the wall and a second position wherethe gate valve is not biased against the gate stopper.
 14. An apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the engagement feature comprises a collarextending about the periphery, the collar including an inwardlyextending rib for affirmatively engaging an outer portion of the mouth.15. An apparatus forming a removable closure device for a drinkingvessel having a mouth through which liquid contents are drank, theclosure device comprising: a cover portion capable of completelycovering the mouth, the cover portion defining a periphery and anaperture adjacent the periphery; a collar formed along the periphery,the collar configured to snap onto and affirmatively engage the mouth toattach the closure device to the vessel, and to snap off the mouth toremove the closure device from the vessel; an actuator having a firstend extending beyond the periphery and a second end proximate a centerof the cover portion, the actuator being slidably moveable between afirst position and a second position, where in the first position thefirst end extends farther outward of the periphery than in the secondposition; a valve coupled to the actuator and moving responsive tomotion of the actuator, the valve having an open position away from theaperture when the actuator is in the first position, and a closedposition over the aperture when the actuator is in the second position,the valve being mechanically biased towards the closed position.
 16. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a plastic springproviding the mechanical bias.
 17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15,further comprising mechanical stops excluding motion of the gate valveoutside of a range of positions extending between and including the openand closed positions.
 18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, whereinthe valve includes a body and a tang, the body being rotatably securedto the cover portion by a pivot pin, the valve rotating about the pivotpin and parallel to the cover portion, and away from the closedposition, responsive to pressure being applied to the first end of theactuator.
 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the valveincludes a body and a tang, the body being rotatably secured to thecover portion by a first pivot pin and being rotatably secured to thesecond end of the actuator by a second pivot pin proximate the firstpivot pin, the valve rotating about the first pivot pin and parallel tothe cover portion, and away from the closed position, responsive topressure being applied to the first end of the actuator.
 20. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a drinking vesselhaving a mouth through which liquid contents are drank, wherein thecover portion is engaged with the mouth of the vessel.
 21. A method ofenabling contents to be removed from a drinking container having a mouththrough which the contents can be removed, comprising: providing adrinking cap having an opening formed there through; providing a gatevalve slidably movable from a closed position over the opening to anopen position away from the opening; providing an actuator engaged withthe gate valve, and configured to move the gate valve from the closedposition to the open position in response to moving the actuator in alineal motion; placing the drinking cap over the mouth of the container;moving the actuator in a lineal motion to thereby move the gate valveaway from the opening thereby allowing contents to be removed from thedrinking container through the mouth and the opening.